ᐅ IKEA MALM drawers are too tight – how to adjust them?

Hello everyone,

I would like to address a very specific issue I am experiencing with the drawers of the IKEA Malm furniture piece. Specifically, all the drawers in my 3-drawer dresser model are quite stiff; they can only be fully pulled out or pushed in with considerable effort. This is neither normal nor particularly comfortable, and I suspect that the drawers can be adjusted somehow to reduce friction or misalignment.

My question to the community is: Does anyone have experience with how to properly adjust or calibrate the IKEA Malm drawers to make them run smoothly? Are there certain screws, guides, or mechanisms that need to be tightened, loosened, or repositioned? I have already carefully inspected the drawer slides, but without specific knowledge, I am stuck.

I would appreciate concrete tips or a step-by-step guide, and if possible, advice on what to watch out for to avoid causing damage or misalignment.

Thank you in advance!

Sautra56 schrieb:
Does anyone have experience with how to properly adjust the drawers of the IKEA MALM so that they slide smoothly?

Hello,

to address the issue of sticking MALM drawers, a systematic check of the drawer slides and installation situation is recommended.

1. First, completely remove the drawer from the cabinet. For MALM, this usually involves pressing a small lever or tab on the metal slides to release the drawer from the runners.

2. Visually inspect the drawer slides for dirt, dust, or foreign objects that might obstruct the movement. Small particles often accumulate there, increasing friction.

3. Lubricate the rollers or ball bearings – a very light lubricant like silicone spray is recommended, not oil-based grease, which can attract dust.

4. Next, check the position of the drawer guides themselves. The screws are often adjustable to a small degree, as the guide plates on the inside of the cabinet can be slightly shifted. The goal is to create an even gap all around the drawer to avoid uneven pressure.

5. Also, make sure the drawer is properly and fully seated in the guides when inserted, as they can sometimes become misaligned if inserted at the wrong angle.

If you like, I can provide a step-by-step guide on how to precisely align the guides. It would be helpful to know if your MALM is still originally assembled or if you have made any modifications or replacements.

In general, adjusting MALM drawers is a bit tricky because the system is designed for simple assembly and does not allow tool-based fine-tuning like furniture with telescopic slides. Slight bending of the metal guides is possible but should be done cautiously.

I hope this gives you a helpful first overview.

PLOMA schrieb:
the adjustment with MALM is a bit tricky because the system is designed for easy assembly

I think all these pieces of furniture that claim to be "easy" but then cause the simplest problems are good proof that we’ve become too accustomed to cheap solutions.

But back to the topic: the drawers are probably installed too tightly, or the wood has slightly settled, which happens quite often with particleboard. In most cases, you can readjust by either slightly shifting the guide rails or lightly sanding the inside of the cabinet, but many people simply don’t have the right tools for that. Just create a bit of clearance, otherwise the whole cabinet will rattle and the problem remains.

It’s also worth checking if the drawers are assembled correctly – on some MALM versions, the drawer back or side guide noticeably sags. In such cases, a little reworking is often better than fiddling for a long time with screws that don’t help.

Sautra56 schrieb:
Has anyone had experience with how to properly adjust or align the drawers of the IKEA MALM to make them run smoothly?

Hello Sautra56,

I completely understand your frustration, I've been through the same. The MALM drawer catch mechanisms are usually more an issue with the drawer slides than the drawer itself.

It’s important to carefully check the slide inside the cabinet frame and the sides of the drawer: often, the metal parts are not installed perfectly parallel, which causes misalignment.

I recommend the following steps:

- Remove the drawer completely.
- Slightly loosen the screws holding the slides to the cabinet frame—not all the way, just enough so the slides hold but can still be moved.
- Adjust the position of the slides slightly so they are exactly parallel and straight—you can usually tell by gently sliding the drawer with little resistance.
- Tighten the screws again while gently moving the drawer to fix the position.
- Afterwards, treat the slides with silicone spray or a furniture-appropriate lubricant to greatly improve the sliding action.

If your MALM is older, the plastic rollers may be worn or deformed—in this case, they should be replaced, which is usually a simple process.

Good luck, and if you have more questions, feel free to ask here!